MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS, TRADE & TECHNOLOGY
Wednesday, February 26, 1997
1:00 pm
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
Public Hearing
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.11,
a public hearing of the Senate Committee on International
Relations, Trade & Technology was held on Wednesday, February 26,
1997 in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos Truan Senator Teel Bivins
Senator John Carona Senator Bill Ratliff
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator David Sibley
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Chairman Truan called the public meeting to order at 1:16 p.m.
There being a quorum present, the following business was
transacted.
The Chair made opening remarks, and requested approval of the
minutes from February 12, 1997 and February 19, 1997. Senator
Carona moved adoption of the February 12, 1997 minutes; there
being no objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapleigh moved
adoption of the February 19, 1997 minutes; there being no
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Shapleigh also made introductory remarks acknowledging the
labor problems along the border caused by NAFTA. Ms. Ann White,
with Senate Media, was present to translate testimony as needed.
Chairman Truan recognized Ms. Consuelo Maheshwari, representing
Valley Interfaith, who testified on the subject of Interfaith
Alliance Schools. Ms. Maheshwari provided the Committee with
written testimony. A discussion followed. Ms. Kathleen Burke,
representing the Texas Education Agency, registered but did not
testify on the subject of Valley Interfaith Alliance Schools.
Chairman Truan recognized Ms. Cynthia Arnold, Development
Coordinator for La Mujer Obrera, to testify on the subject of
NAFTA's effect on border employment. Ms. Arnold provided written
testimony to the Committee. A discussion followed. Chairman
Truan recognized the presence of Representative Norma Chavez from
El Paso in attendance at the hearing today. Ms. Angie Briones-
Sosa, also with La Mujer Obrera, testified on NAFTA's effect on
border employment and the specific problems currently experienced
in El Paso. A discussion followed. Ms. Maria Fernandez, of La
Mujer Obrera, provided written testimony, but did not testify.
Chairman Truan recognized Ms. Linda Williamson, Deputy Director of
Customer Services with the Texas Workforce Commission to respond
to the concerns stated by La Mujer Obrera. A discussion followed.
The Chair then recognized Ms. Mimi Purnell, Special Project
Coordinator and Acting Director of the Dislocated Workers' Unit
with the Texas Workforce Commission, to further respond to
testimony from La Mujer Obrera and to answer questions from
Committee members. A discussion followed. Chairman Truan
acknowledged El Paso Representative Paul Moreno's presence at the
Committee hearing. Senator Shapleigh then requested that the
Texas Workforce Commission report back to the Legislature on the
status of the NAFTA job-training problem, and efforts to put job-
training at the front end of the training period and what the
Committee can expect in terms of tangible results. Senator
Shapleigh also requested the Workforce Commission report back to
the Committee on the busing of Texas workers to other states. The
Chair recognized Mr. Harry Crawford, Director of the NAFTA
Training Adjustment Assistance Program at the Texas Workforce
Commission, to testify on the Workforce Commission's most recent
efforts to address the needs of displaced workers across the
State, and in El Paso in particular. Representative Paul Moreno
commented on the lack of knowledge of the NAFTA's impact on border
employment at the time it was passed by Congress.
Chairman Truan next recognized Mr. Walter Hinojosa, Legislative
Director of AFL-CIO, to comment on NAFTA's negative impact on
border labor issues and workers. Mr. Rick Glasebrook, President
of the Teamsters Local 657, testified in the Teamsters' position
against expansion of Mexican truckers' area as a threat to Texas
jobs. Chairman Truan then recognized Rick Levy, Legal Director
for AFL-CIO, to testify on displaced workers in the border region
and across Texas, and the lack of rapid response by the Texas
Worforce Commission. A discussion followed.
There being no further business, at 3:40 pm Senator Truan moved
that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the
Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Carlos Truan, Chair
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